You Know/I Am

My first love was the church, and it never loved me back. I thought it and God were one in the same, and I became convinced God could never love me either. I thought my church and The Church were one and the same, and no matter how hard I tried, I’d never belong there. Then, God reminded me, “You know the Way”, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life makes a home in you. God reminded me, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” God reminded me I Am not just here or there; I Am everywhere. God reminded me I Am not a part of just one thing. I Am in everything.

I knew the Church wasn’t a building, but no one believed me.

I knew the Church wasn’t an institution, but they told me it required one.

I knew the Church wasn’t about rules, but they told me it needed them.

I knew God didn’t fit in a box, but they insisted God had built it.

I knew there had to be more to The Story, but they said that only the selfish and disobedient told it differently.

I knew I Am said, “Come as you are to my dinner party”; they said, "Make sure you clean up first and remember your place, if you want to stay."

I knew my heart was breaking for good reasons; they said, "Don’t feel so much."

I knew I had more to say; they told me to lower my voice.

I knew I couldn’t keep from singing; they said, "Pick a different song."

I knew I could be anything; they said, "As long as it’s not that thing."

I knew I was called to more; they told me to pray I’d be content.

I knew I Am was inviting me to be more; they said, "This is it."

I knew I Am kept whispering, “You are more”; they said, "You are too much."

I knew I Am was telling me, “Be a vineyard”; they said, "Stay in your pot."

I knew I Am kept urging me to feed sheep everywhere; they insisted I could do that anywhere.

I knew they all meant well; I Am said, “You are well.”

They said my expectations were unreasonable; I know I Am walks on water.

They said I must be practical; I know I Am is radical.

They said, "You’re a leader, but not that kind"; I Am said, “Your light cannot be hidden.”

They said I was impossible; I Am says, “You know with Me you are inevitable.”

Photo: Zomba Plateau, Malawi.